William Reynolds-Stephens

If there is one sign more encouraging than another
of the awakening to the fuller, the more universal,
appreciation of art in these later days, it is to
he found in the wider practice of its various methods
of expression adopted by certain of our artists,
after the manner of the great Italians. . . . Representative in a high degree among these, so
to say, polyglot artists is Mr. W. Reynolds-Stephens,
whose short but hitherto brilliant career receives
notice in these pages, not only in virtue of the merit
of his past achievements but by the interest of his
varied ability as painter, sculptor, designer, and art
craftsman.

His early youth was not passed as is that of most boys. Born in 1862,
of English parents, in Detroit, he received his earliest impressions in
Canada. His subsequent school life was divided between England and
Germany, and his training was for the profession of engineering. When his
majority permitted him to choose for himself, he
threw up a promising position for the sake of art.
and in 1884 entered the Royal Academy schools.
He was still a student when, in 1885, he sent his
first contribution to the Royal Academy exhibition;
and from that lime forward he has been regularly
represented there in the sections either of painting
or sculpture, and at times of both. . . .

Versatility has ruined more artists than it has
made, and is more often the expression of a wayward
artistic nature than a proof of universality of genius.
Mr. Reynolds-Stephens' talent is so equally balanced
that it is hard to say that by devoting himself to
any one style of art he does injustice to his ability
in any other. He is no prouder of the term of
artist than of that of craftsman; his view of art is
sane, and though enthusiastic, full of calm resolution.
He is rising to a front rank, and his advance to that
point it will be a matter of interest to watch. — Magazine of Art